One Of The Cheapest Rolex Watches Is An Entry Level Model With A Smaller Price Tag

Rolex may be known for making beautiful, high-quality watches that could last centuries, but it's also equally known to be prohibitively expensive. While that may be true of the more premium Rolexes — flagship models like the Day-Date and GMT-Master II often flirt between five and six figures — there are some models in the lineup that could fit potential owners working with a stricter budget.

As far as affordable Rolex watches go, one of the most accessible models has long been the Oyster Perpetual Date. Also known as the Rolex Date, it was introduced as a more functional alternative to the standard Oyster Perpetual, which remains the cheapest Rolex in production. This "Date" version kept the same stainless steel case and automatic movement but added a date complication with Rolex's signature Cyclops magnifier. Typically produced in a 34-millimeter size, it sits firmly in "entry-level" territory while still carrying the Oyster case's 100 meters of water resistance and everyday durability.

Although Rolex officially discontinued the Oyster Perpetual Date in 2021, pre-owned examples remain among the cheapest options for getting into genuine Rolex ownership. Depending on condition and reference, they often trade between $3,500 and $5,000 on Chrono24, which is less than the $5,800 a brand-new Oyster Perpetual starts at and slightly more than a pre-owned 20th-century 26-millimeter Lady-Datejust. This sweet spot in price makes the Oyster Perpetual Date an appealing option for buyers who want bigger sizing and the added practicality of a date display.

Buying a pre-owned luxury watch, such as a Rolex Date, isn't very complicated. It's not as involved as buying a used luxury car, for example, but you might still want to know a few things going in.

The first factor to keep in mind is the watch's condition. Rolex Dates could go as low as $2,400 — and even lower if you're lucky — but many at that price range come scuffed, scratched, or in need of some servicing. Rolex service averages $600 to $1,200, so a "cheap" Rolex Date may not be such a steal if it needs additional work to get it up to acceptable condition. 

The Dates on the lower price spectrum would also likely not come with an official Rolex box, warranty cards, manuals, or original receipts. These papers can help you confirm that what you're buying isn't stolen or counterfeit, and they can also boost value by about 10% to 20% — all of which is important to consider if you ever plan to sell it. On that note, the Rolex Date is already somewhat lacking in terms of resale value: It's not as collectible as a Submariner or GMT Master II, which are the Rolex watches known to appreciate in value the most. Instead, the Date's prices stay softer, which is good for buyers but less so for resellers.

If you care more about durability than price, you should consider a reference produced in one of the later years. Later references like 115200 and 115234 went into production in the mid-2000s and feature sapphire crystals that can withstand daily use much more reliably than older acrylic-crystal models.

The Rolex Date and the Datejust are often compared. In fact, they look so similar they're sometimes even mistaken for each other. Both feature the iconic Oyster case, automatic movement, and Rolex's Cyclops magnifier over the date window. The real differences lie in size, variety, and cost, which is why many shoppers looking for an entry-level Rolex end up choosing between the two.

The Rolex Date was typically produced in a 34-millimeter case, making it slightly smaller than the standard 36-millimeter Datejust. That size distinction makes the Date a comfortable choice for those who prefer a more understated fit, while the Datejust offers more range — from 31 millimeters to 41 millimeters in modern production — and a variety of bezels, dials, and bracelets.

When it comes to price, though, the gap becomes clearer. Pre-owned steel Rolex Date models without the box or ownership papers can start as low as $2,000 on Chrono24. In good condition, later references can command upwards of $7,000. A comparable stainless steel Datejust from the same period typically costs between $6,000 and $10,000. Conservatively, that's at least a $3,000 difference, more than enough to get a cheaper Datejust alternative from another brand.